Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
🎨

Steve Harvey

arts Maturity 7-9 war conflict Next article →

This article covers sensitive topics: war_conflict. Parents can manage visibility in Parental Controls.

Broderick Stephen Harvey is a prominent American entertainer. He works as a comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He is also a well-known radio and television host. Harvey is famous for hosting many different types of media. These include the game show Family Feud and the radio program The Steve Harvey Morning Show.

Steve Harvey September 2008
Steve Harvey September 2008

He has earned many prestigious honors for his work. These include seven Daytime Emmy Awards and fourteen NAACP Image Awards. He also holds two Marconi Awards for his broadcasting skill.

Harvey's path to success was not easy. Before finding fame, he held many different jobs. He worked as a boxer, an autoworker, and a mailman. He also worked as an insurance salesman and a carpet cleaner. During the late 1980s, Harvey experienced homelessness for three years. During this difficult time, he slept in his car. He used gas stations and swimming pools to shower. Despite these challenges, he began his stand-up comedy career on October 8, 1985, in Cleveland, Ohio.

His early life in Welch, West Virginia, shaped his determination. He was the youngest of five children. His father, Jesse, worked as a coal miner. As a child, Harvey dealt with a severe stutter. He eventually overcame this speech difficulty. In the sixth grade, he wrote that he wanted to be on television. While his teacher thought he was being a "smart aleck," his father believed in his dream.

Steve Harvey I hear you calling
Steve Harvey I hear you calling

Later, Harvey showed his gratitude by sending that teacher a television every year for Christmas.

Harvey's career moved from comedy clubs to major television networks. In 1990, he became a finalist in a national comedy search. This led to him hosting Showtime at the Apollo. He later starred in the sitcom The Steve Harvey Show on The WB from 1996 to 2002. In 1997, he joined the Kings of Comedy tour. This tour was a massive success. It grossed $18 million in its first year and $19 million in its second year. This tour was later turned into a film by director Spike Lee.

In 2010, Harvey began hosting Family Feud. He holds the longest tenure of any host in the show's history. He also hosts Celebrity Family Feud, where celebrities donate up to $25,000 to charity.

Steve Harvey, April 6, 2010
Steve Harvey, April 6, 2010

Beyond television, Harvey is a successful author. His 2009 book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, was a major bestseller. The hardcover version stayed on The New York Times best-seller list for 64 weeks. It spent 23 of those weeks at the number one position. This book even inspired a romantic comedy film in 2012.

Harvey has also managed high-profile hosting duties and public moments. In 2015, he hosted the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas. During the event, he mistakenly announced the first runner-up as the winner. He quickly corrected the mistake and apologized to the contestants. He has since returned to host the Miss Universe pageant many times in different countries. In 2013, he reached a major milestone by receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

SteveHarveyStandingHWOFMay2013
SteveHarveyStandingHWOFMay2013

Today, Harvey manages a wide range of business ventures. In 2017, he founded Steve Harvey Global. This company includes his production company, East 112. Through this organization, he develops digital content, films, and television. He also launched the Sand and Soul Festival. Alongside his wife, Marjorie, he founded The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation. This nonprofit organization focuses on helping youth with their education. He continues to influence entertainment through his various global brands.

583 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (4)
File:Steve Harvey September 2008.jpg
Steve Harvey September 2008.jpg
File:Steve Harvey, April 6, 2010.jpg
Steve Harvey, April 6, 2010.jpg
File:Steve Harvey I hear you calling.jpg
Steve Harvey I hear you calling.jpg
File:SteveHarveyStandingHWOFMay2013.jpg
SteveHarveyStandingHWOFMay2013.jpg
More to explore

🔬 Go deeper

More advanced topics to explore

🪜 Step back

Simpler topics to build understanding

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.